Low vision affects millions of Americans, including many older adults in your community. Low vision can make it hard to do things like reading, shopping, cooking, or writing. Low vision is defined as a vision impairment that can’t be fixed with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medications, or surgery. 

Vision rehabilitation can help people with low vision stay independent and make the most of their sight. Low Vision Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about low vision and education others about vision rehabilitation services.
 

WHAT IS LOW VISION?

Low vision is a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. Activities like reading, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV may be hard to do. The consequences of vision loss may leave people feeling anxious, helpless, and depressed. So, it is important to remind them that there is hope.
 

WHAT IS VISION REHABILITATION? 

Vision rehabilitation helps people adapt to vision loss and maintain their current lifestyle. A vision rehabilitation program offers a wide range of services, including training in the use of magnifiers and other adaptive devices, ways to complete daily living skills safely and independently, guidance on modifying residences, and information on where to locate resources and support. These programs typically include a team of professionals consisting of a primary eye care professional and an optometrist or ophthalmologist specializing in low vision. Occupational therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, certified low vision therapists, counselors, and social workers may also be a part of this team.
 

WHAT CAUSES LOW VISION?

Low vision can be caused by eye diseases or other health conditions. Some of these include age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetes, and glaucoma; diseases for which older adults are at higher risk. Eye injuries and birth defects can also cause severe vision impairment. Whatever the cause, when lost vision cannot be restored, it can be managed with proper treatment and vision rehabilitation. 
 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF LOW VISION? 

Difficulty with any of the following—even when wearing glasses or contact lenses—could be an early warning sign of vision loss or eye disease:
 

• Reading

• Using a computer or tablet

• Writing

• Watching television

• Recognizing faces

• Seeing switches, dials, or other mechanical controls

• Seeing the board in front of a school classroom

• Shopping

• Driving a car
   

The sooner that vision loss or treatable eye disease is detected, the greater the chances of keeping the remaining vision.
 

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOW VISION? 

According to NEI, 4.2 million Americans ages 40 and older are visually impaired. Of these, 3 million have low vision. By 2030, when the last baby boomers turn 65, the number of Americans who have visual impairments is projected to reach 7.2 million, with 5 million having low vision.
 

WHO IS AT HIGHER RISK FOR LOW VISION?

Vision loss can affect anyone at any age, but low vision is most common for those over age 65. African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are at a higher risk for vision loss from diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, while whites are more at risk for vision loss from age-related macular degeneration

LOW VISION RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT THE NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

Source: National Eye Institute